Review: Tempted

Review: Tempted by Megan Hart

My husband, James. The house on the lake. My life. Our perfect life.

And then Alex came to visit.

The first time I saw my husband's best friend, I didn't like him. Didn't like how James changed when he was around, didn't like how his penetrating eyes followed me everywhere. But that didn't stop me from wanting him. And, surprisingly, James didn't seem to mind.

It was meant to be fun. Something the three of us shared for those hot summer weeks Alex stayed with us. Nobody was supposed to fall in or our of love. I didn't need another man, not even one who oozed sex like honey and knew all the secrets I didn't know, the secrets my husband hadn't shared. After all, we had a perfect life. And I loved my husband.

But I wasn't the only one.

Anne Kinney loves her husband, James, and for all intents and purposes everything appears perfect. Yet after seven years of marriage she still can't believe that life with him is real. Yes, she answers to his last name, wears his ring, cleans his house, and makes his dinner, and while during these inane tasks her marriage feels as real as ever, she still has her doubts.

Growing up, Anne's mother was never openly loving while her father submerged himself nightly in an alcoholic haze. Sometimes he threatened suicide by locking himself alone with a gun, crying in his quest to end things

Anne's three younger sisters have issues of their own. Patricia's marriage is on the rocks with her husband committing financial infidelity. Mary is a closet lesbian while Claire, if she were being paid for her services, could be called a whore.

Enter Alex Kennedy, James' long lost best friend. After spending the last several years in Singapore, Alex is invited by James to spend the summer months with him and Anne. A wealthy, self-made man, Alex is an enigma to Anne upon his arrival. Gorgeous and dripping with charm, Anne doesn't quite know how to feel about his presence in her home. Firstly, James acts differently. Already described as a flitting butterfly, bouncing from one focus to another, Alex has his complete and nearly undivided attention. Secondly, there is alcohol. Given Anne's past, she understandably has an aversion to alcohol and its effects. She doesn't say no to its consumption nor its presence in her home but she's irritated and quiet when James has been consuming. With Alex there, James seems to be drinking more. And thirdly, Alex is slowly seducing Anne with her husband's approval.

There is a turning point the book that really struck me. Just before Anne agrees to have sex with James and Alex, she says to herself that a simple no would have saved them all a lot of heartache but the temptation of having the two beautiful men is just too hard to resist. Thus Anne dives head first into what turns out to be a very complicated relationship.

Anne loves James, and she often monologues to herself as though trying to remind and ingrain that fact into her heart, yet the unthinkable but inevitable happens. Anne falls in love with Alex. He gets her, not only her heart but her body as well, and as no man has ever gotten her before, even James. And although she has her husband's permission to have sex with his best friend, she does not have permission to fall in love and the guilt weighs heavily on her.

There is no sex scene like the Megan Hart sex scene. It feels so realistic and true to life. Sex is messy, even more so with a third addition. It's not perfectly choreographed like the movies but its still beautiful and pleasurable. Anne's thoughts and feelings are truly human. And while other reviews pointed out the tragedy and grimness of the novel, I found that what Hart was portraying was life, not fantasy. She exams the effects of a married couple inviting a third to their bed and how even with the best intentions, hearts get broken.

Anne, so outwardly perfect in the beginning, sheds her image of perfection and shows the world who she really is at her core. Secrets are uncovered. Hearts are broken. And I was on pins and needles, wondering what Anne's last move would be. Would she leave James and her perfect life to be with Alex? Alex, who makes her feel so different, so unencumbered with the trials and tribulations of family and history. Or would she stay with James and work on their marriage that while good was never truly strong? Could Anne stop trying to please everyone and finally stand up for herself and what she wants?

'Tempted' is life and what life would be like if there was suddenly three instead of one. I only had one problem with the story and unfortunately if I told, it would be a major spoiler but suffice it to say I didn't like the ending. I respected Anne's decision and it concurred with my moral values but I didn't like the way she handled it. In that regards, I though there was a major conversation that happened between Anne and James that was not written into the story and I think that I as a reader would have better understood how Anne came to the decision and did what she did with Alex. For that I have to rate the book a B.

B

Review: Blue-Eyed Devil

Review: Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

His name is Hardy Cates. He's a self-made millionaire who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He's made enemies in the rough-and-tumble ride to the top of Houston's oil industry. He's got hot blood in his veins. And vengeance on his mind.

She's Haven Travis. Despite her family's money, she refuses to set out on the path they've chosen for her. But when Haven marries a man her family disapproves of, her life is set on a new and dangerous course. Two years later, Haven comes home, determined to guard her heart. And Hardy Cates, a family enemy, is the last person she needs darkening her door or setting her soul on fire.

Haven Travis is the youngest in the Travis clan and the most rebellious. She fights their excessive and rich lives and is bound and determined to do the exact opposite of what her father, the infamous Churchill Travis, demands. When Haven falls in love with the man she wants to marry, she doesn't necessarily seemed surprised that her father despises her choice of Nick and cuts off her monthly allowance and any gains from the family will. Haven, while hurt by her father's actions, is more bruised by his unwillingness to speak to her as opposed to her being dropped from the Travis Will. Thus, Haven boldly turns her back on a life of privilege and elopes with Nick and the couple moves to Dallas, TX.

For the next two years Haven endures a marriage of pure hell. It started off with little things like Nick's insistence that Haven press and starch his shirts to his exact specifications. Then there was Nick's sudden desire to refer to Haven by her middle name, Marie. Haven complies with Nick's wishes because she desperately wants to please him and make their marriage work not only because of her love for him but for her pride as well. Things deteriorate rapidly with verbal abuse escalating into physical. Finally, after a physical blow out, Nick kicks a bloody Haven out the door.

This time period of Haven's life was extremely difficult to read through but very informative regarding Nick's abuse and his reasons behind it. Kleypas sheds light on the warning signs that women and men need to be aware of so that a couple, if capable, can receive counseling or treatment. If things have escalated beyond hope than a person has a view of the possible future abuse through Nick and Haven's story, and thus hopefully giving them courage to leave the situation.

Haven is rescued by her older brother Gage and even I felt immediate relief when he calls her darlin' and cradles her gently in his arms promising to keep her safe. Yet a battle between siblings is not far behind with Gage pressing Haven to divorce Nick immediately. Haven, having been systematically abused, is incapable of making any decision and opts to sleep on it before delving hastily into a divorce. But after a few days of rest and a hefty unloading of pain and suffering to the welcoming and understanding ears of her sister-in-law, Liberty Travis, Haven agrees to a divorce and once her mind has been made up the proceedings cannot be completed fast enough.

Haven, finally rid of Nick, embarks on her road to recovery. She learns that Nick's pattern of behavior fit that of a someone with narcissistic personality disorder, which unknown to both Haven and me is a very common abusive disorder for husbands. Unfortunately, this disorder is highly untreatable because narcissists are very resistant to therapy for with their sense of superiority, don't feel the need for any change. Haven is also dealing with her rash behavior when any man, even her trusted brothers, make any move to touch her. She reacts almost uncontrollably by flinching or pulling away sharply before any physical contact is made. This sort of behavior, while understandable, is very hard on not only her family but Haven as well.

It is during this recovery period that Haven runs into Hardy Cates, the suitor once vying for Liberty Jones' hand in 'Sugar Daddy'. But he no longer has eyes for Liberty, he wants Haven. And while she wrongly assumes it's for revenge, Hardy soon opens her mind to the fact that he no longer and will never desire Liberty in that way again, nor does he wish for vengeance (which is in complete contrast to the blurb printed on the back cover).

Hardy hasn't changed much since we last saw him except for the fact that he's acquired more wealth. Yet, he doesn't brag. He describes his business as "We're doing okay" and with regards to his mature oil fields "we're getting some good play out of it" while in fact the man is turning over millions in profits that would soon rival the Travis wealth. This behavior fits with Haven for while she has been reinstated into the Travis will and a very wealthy heiress in her own right, she doesn't care to call it out to any who would care to listen.

Hardy moves quickly with Haven, knocking down every road block she constructs. While she refuses to see him in a personal way, he makes a point that she sees him in a professional way and after a daring rescue Haven finally opens her heart to him. I craved every moment the two had together. Hardy swept me off my feet as much as he did with Haven's. And when she finally describes for him the marriage she endured I wept with her and fell in love with Hardy.

Yet danger still lurks with Haven's husband making a final attempt to get Haven back resulting in Hardy injured and Nick behind bars.

I loved this book from beginning to end and would recommend it to any woman not only for the romance but for an eye opening education as well.

A

Review: Mirror Of My Soul

Review: Mirror Of My Soul by Joey W. Hill

Back Cover Blurb: Taken from the official Joey W. Hill website

Some stories can't be contained between the covers of just one book.

Marguerite and Tyler’s story continues in Mirror of My Soul. Having resolved some of the issues that arose between them as two sexual dominants, they now explore whether Marguerite’s desire to be Mistress and slave both will be accepted by Tyler, and whether the shadows of their respective pasts will have the power to destroy the love growing between them.

'Mirror To My Soul' starts mere sentences after 'Ice Queen' ends. Marguerite has just completed a session as Mistress over Tyler which has ended with Tyler bruised and bloody. Although he acted as Marguerite's submissive and bares the wounds of his decision, not once during the entire time was he not in control. Tyler's eyes continuously proved with every locked stare that he was and always would be Marguerite's Master.

The psychological breakdown that Marguerite experiences and of which was ultimately the catalyst to the physical abuse she inflicted upon Tyler, of course leaves her body, mind, and spirit extremely fragile. The shame of her actions propels her to run and seek solace at the sight of her long dead brother's death.

Meanwhile, Tyler uses his connections to discover the truth of Marguerite's past thinking that if he knew the events that shaped her life than perhaps he can discover the key to opening her heart and soul to his dominance. Thus Ms. Hill reveals the absolute horror of a past that Marguerite endured from eight to fourteen years old in the hands of her mind-broken father. Reader be warned that the author does nothing to sugar-coat or gloss over any of the terrible and gruesome aspects of Marguerite's past. The final deaths of her mother and brother are so heartbreaking that I find no words at all to convey the emotion I felt over reading their demise. After reading how Marguerite survived, my admiration for her grew ten fold as well as my utter awe of her strength and her ability to love even when she feels incapable of the emotion or even deserving.

Tyler is not without his own ghosts and certain triggers set of his post traumatic stress syndrome leaving him vulnerable and scared that if Marguerite doesn't always witness his strength than she will run once again. Yet, in a beautiful scene, Marguerite offers her substantial strength to Tyler and for once he has some one he can truly lean on and unburden his soul to. I believe that this trait is what convinces Marguerite that she is and can be human. Up until this point she has been a bystander in life, a non-being just operating day to day and Tyler is able to crash through this mode and show his need for her and her need for him.

A favorite quote of mine is when Tyler says the following to Marguerite after stalking her apartment and awaiting her return after the opening session at The Zone:

...Mistress, you need to be one man's sub forever so your Master can spend a lifetime proving that you can trust him, if that's what it takes. One who's willing to start over every morning with you, healing those wounds as often as they need healing. My intuition says you deserve to be happy.

When Marguerite finally acknowledges her submission to Tyler and calls him Master, the sexual scenes are explosive with extreme BDSM and passionate romance. The eroticism was powerful and I enjoyed seeing characters re-appear from her previous novels in the 'Nature of Desire' series. There is an especially sweet moment between Mac and Violet from 'Natural Law' that made me want to pick up the novel and read about how their love came to be all over again.

Yet even after all these subsequent breakthroughs, Tyler and Marguerite suffer more with the return of her father as his sickness threatens to kill once again. Yet when these two finally receive their much deserved happy ending, I closed this book with a contented sigh knowing that while neither may be truly healed yet, they are certainly on the right track with their love for each other guiding their way.

A

Angels' Blood Cover

I am definitely liking Nalini Singh's 'Angels' Blood' cover. This book releases on March 2009 and is the first in Singh's Guild Hunters series about vampire bounty hunters who return vampire escapees to their masters, Angels. You can read an excerpt here.

I love everything Singh writes and I can't wait for this new series!

Other news, I received my signed ARC of 'Demon Bound' by Meljean Brook in the mail yesterday. I was caught by my husband doing the happy dance in our kitchen. Needless to say he thinks I'm possessed but I still love him. I'll start reading it after I finish 'Tempted' which so far has been a bit boring but I've never read a Hart book that I didn't like so I'm keeping the faith.

Review: Ice Queen

Review: Ice Queen by Joey W. Hill

Back Cover Blurb: Taken from the official Joey W. Hill website

They call her the Ice Queen. At the exclusive BDSM club known as The Zone, Mistress Marguerite is a legend. Tyler Winterman has been fascinated with her since he’s known her, though the rules of their world say they shouldn’t share more than mutual admiration. He is her male counterpart, one of the most powerful male Doms practicing at The Zone.

Due to a computer error, Marguerite lacks the mentoring program stipulation required of all Zone Doms, which includes spending a number of hours learning about BDSM from the submissive’s perspective. Tyler considers it an act of fate that Marguerite chooses him to be the Dom who helps her fulfill that requirement. He is convinced she is a “switch”, a closet submissive, but the truth will be even more remarkable than the theory, changing their lives in ways neither of them anticipates.

Having no equal except one another in their skills at stripping a sub’s defenses bare, these two Dominants will turn their considerable talents on each other and discover that who is Master and who is slave doesn’t matter, not when two souls have found their mate.

Marguerite Purrequet has a very regimented daily routine. She begins and ends each day the same with the sun rising and setting around her tea shop, Tea Leaves. Only one variation exists. Every Thursday night Marguerite steps out of her tea shop and into The Zone, an exclusive BDSM club where she is known as Mistress Marguerite, the Ice Queen. Marguerite is a sexual Dominant. Her soul finds true bliss when a submissive relinquishes all - body, mind and soul, entrusting Mistress Margurite with not only their safety but their fantasies as well.

Tyler Winterman, a man of untold wealth, is a Master and heterosexual Dominant at The Zone. In his early forties, Tyler embodies the seductive sturdiness and strength of a real man who knows himself - body, mind and soul, thorough and thorough. His soul rings true to Marguerite's and their shared desire to dominate their sexual partners.

The Zone requires all Mistresses and Masters to complete a study in both BDSM roles in order to maintain membership status. These studies allow sexual dominant members to experience BDSM sessions from the submissive perspective. Computer error has allowed Marguerite membership without class completion. In order to continue her forays at The Zone, Marguerite selects Master Tyler to be her teacher in the hopes that The Zone's two elite can work out a deal whereby Marguerte may continue her membership without class completion. But Tyler is not in a mood to comply.

Tyler has been infatuated with Marguerite since the first time he saw her at The Zone two years ago. Her appearance alone would attract any ones notice. Marguerite is tall and slender with long snow white hair and translucent skin but it's her ice blue soul-piercing eyes that captivate Tyler. That and the fact that he thinks Marguerite is a "switch" - a Dominant that is actually a sub. Tyler believes that the computer glitch is destiny and convinces Marguerite to complete the study while spending a weekend at his Florida Gulf home.

Marguerite is intensely complex. While her body lays out the trauma of the past one cigarette burn at a time, Tyler does not inquire about how their appearance came to be. Although a Master's goal is to view the soul of the sub, somethings, upon the sub's request will not be disclosed. That is part of the safety and trust that a Master can and must provide. Yet the scars only represent the first of many unbreakable walls that Marguerite has erected to protect her soul and Tyler fights desperately to blast through them.

This book was like a fencing match with two very aggressive beings thrusting a parrying back forth while the steel of their souls clash causing sparks to fly. Marguerite is mostly on the defensive trying desperately to maintain and uphold the bricks of her walls but Tyler continually crumbles them with soul searing light. And while that light helpful it's not enitrely effective, Marguerite's darkness appears too vast and deep that the light is vanquished by it's shear depth and blackness. Yet Tyler's persistence is admirable and he knows that while Marguerite runs, he has made an impact, those first protective walls have come down and he tries one last direct hit with allowing Marguerite to dominate him.

I really enjoyed this novel. It provided the extreme of BDSM with the complexity of a true, albeit unusual, romance. Tyler's acceptance of Marguerite, including her sordid yet unrevealed past, is beautiful and true making him a hero in every sense of the word. Marguerite is the epitome of strength and vision of how one can pull their life together after terrible tragedy. She is selfless and compassionate to others and is more than deserving of Tyler's love and protection. These characters were perfect for each other.

A-

Review: Sugar Daddy

Review: Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas

Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas - if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty Jones is a complication he doesn't need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty finds herself under the spell of a billionaire tycoon - a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family's past.

Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you'll root for every step of the way. A love story you'll never forget.

I've had 'Sugar Daddy' sitting in my TBR pile since the book released back in 2007 yet I never truly felt compelled to read it until the Book Smugglers hosted their "Lisa Kleypas" week. After reading their reviews of both 'Sugar Daddy' and 'Blue-Eyed Devil' my interest in the novel began to spark but it was the interview with Ms. Kleypas that sealed the deal for me. The start of that following weekend hailed the time to pick up the novel and I didn't do anything but read and enjoy 'Sugar Daddy'.

'Sugar Daddy' is told completely through the POV of Liberty Jones. Side note: This is strange but I'm always wary of reading a novel told in 1st person yet I truly cannot recall ever reading a bad one. I think this particular story telling gets a bad reputation through the Internet. I've read a lot of reviews that scare me into thinking that a book is crap based solely on the fact that it's told in 1st person. And it never fails to motivate me to turn my eyes and mind away from those particular stories. Yet every time I finally find the courage to dive in, I'm always pleasantly surprised in how much I enjoy reading a novel told in this particular way and 'Sugar Daddy' is no exception. Now that I'm truly thinking about the reasons behind my fear, I think I've realized what I'm mostly afraid of and that is that I won't see or understand things from the hero/heroine's POV that we can't read. But the gift of a great author is that while reading their novels we don't need the other POV to understand what the other protagonist is thinking or feeling, we learn and experience through the POV that the story is narrated in. And in this respect, Lisa Kleypas is superb.

Liberty Jones is a woman born and raised on the wrong side of the tracks. We are informed by Liberty personally that although she and her momma were poor and lived in a trailer park they most certainly were not "white trash" but were better known as "white poor". This is an important distinction for while Texans detest "white trash" they pity the God-fearin' "white poor" class.

It is at the trailer park that Liberty meets her first love at fourteen, Hardy Cates. Hardy is your quintessential alpha male not only embodying the requisite rich charm that can melt the panties off even the most devote of virgins but also the innate need to protect the weaker sex. And of course Hardy is drop dead gorgeous with huge blue eyes, tan skin, lean muscular physique, and sun bleached hair. Stick a cowboy hat on this boy and he is completely irresistible not only to the reader but obviously to Liberty as well. But we won't brand Liberty a looks only kind of gal, oh no. Hardy saves Liberty on countless occasions, everything from snarling pit bulls to shouldering a crying baby. And with each save, Liberty falls more and more in love with him. Although the attraction is mutual, Hardy refuses Liberty's attempt at courtship. While he can remain her good friend, he cannot be with her for he has dreams, big dreams that will take him far from Welcome, Texas. The accomplishment of these dreams will be hard and rocky and he doesn't want anything or anyone holding him down, especially Liberty Jones. My heart broke along with Liberty's when Hardy finally proves true to his word and leaves Liberty and life as they knew it to pursue his goals.

Shortly thereafter, Liberty's momma dies tragically leaving her as the sole provider for her two year old sister, Carrington. For the next six years Liberty finds herself in the position of a single parent having to sacrifice endlessly to clothe, feed, and provide shelter for herself and her baby sister. This time is rife with struggle and I found myself cheering for Liberty. I clenched my fists when Liberty couldn't seem to catch a break. I cried when Carrington begged Liberty not to leave her alone on her first day of school. I gritted my teeth when a man wouldn't treat Liberty with the love she deserved. Mostly I was in awe of her tenacity and amazing courage for throughout this whole ordeal of making a life, Liberty found herself and I respected the woman she had become.

Finally with a bit of luck, Liberty is making decent money as a hair stylist at the very trendy Salon One in Houston, Texas. It is here that Liberty befriends billionaire, Churchill Travis. While her stylist friends encourage her to tempt Churchill into a "sugar daddy" relationship, Liberty sees her friendship with the eccentric billionaire in a completely different light. Although she does initially suspect churchill's strange interest in her, once called out he informs her, much to Liberty's relief, that he has no interest in her in that way. Trust soon settles between the two and the friendship evolves into a father/daughter relationship. This strange complexity at first frightens Liberty for she feels that ultimately she cannot withstand any more heartache. But Churchill Travis is a wily sort and he ingrains himself on Liberty's soul with the ease of a fox. And his conniving doesn't end there.

After suffering a riding accident, Churchill has been confined to a wheel chair for the next five months while his severe injuries heal. His total incapability to care for himself has turned an already surly old man into a complete menace. After firing his personal assistant Churchill convinces Liberty to take over the duties with some added manipulations and stipulations. Liberty would be required to live at the Travis mansion in order to be available to Churchill 'round the clock. Of course that means that now eight year old Carrington must move in as well. Of this Liberty is a bit skeptical but with the additive incentives of excellent schools, tutors, piano lessons, and a build to order slide in the pool, Liberty finds herself in a tenable situation. While she grew up with virtually nothing, why should she begrudge Carrington this amazing opportunity? Liberty agrees to the new job.

I understood Liberty's reservations to moving in with Churchill Travis and assuming the job of his personal assistant. Up until this point Liberty has fought tooth and nail to provide Carrington and herself with all human necessities. Taking this job and moving into a whole new stratosphere of society is jarring at best. But the great fear, is what if things don't work out. Moving from a tiny apartment to a mansion is easy but what about from a mansion to an apartment and that's just housing. Her concern is real but she resigns herself to this possible outcome for what the overall experience can provide Carrington. In essence, Liberty embodies all the fears and hopes of a mother. You want to give you children that best at whatever the cost is to yourself.

Now while Liberty and Churchill understand that their relationship is not the scandalous "sugar daddy" scenario, others find this a bit hard to believe. Well really only one person in particular, Gage Travis, Churchill's oldest of four children.

Gage is similar in some ways to Liberty's lost love Hardy Cates but in all others he is completely different. Gage is almost deceptively strong with expensive suits covering his very tall and lean muscled physique. His eyes are lightening gray with black lashes and hair. Although he is very closed off emotionally he oozes intelligence. I kind of found myself thinking of Richard Gere's personality from the movie 'Pretty Woman'. You know the big industrial types that have never had a true day of pleasure. And yet when Gage meets Liberty, it's like he can't help himself or maintain any amount of control when he's with her. Not only that but Gage is extremely alpha with a driving need to assert any and all claim on the ones he deems his.

After some direct threats to throw Liberty out the door, she remains strong and Gage soon discovers the reason for Liberty's new position in the Travis family and it doesn't necessarily coincide with personal assistant duties. The two embark on a rocky relationship rife with avoidanceand it isn't until Liberty nurses Gage back from a rather bad case of the flu that Gage starts falling for Liberty. And OMG what a fall it is. At first I was scared of a new love entering Liberty's life because we were both still in love with Hardy, but soon thoughts of Hardy disappear under the shear yearnings and desire that Liberty and Gage feel for each other. But just when Liberty and I were comfortable in our feelings for Gage, everything is turned upside down with the re-entrance of Hardy and his determination to win Liberty back. This is when I loved Gage the most. He became so territorial and sexual over Liberty with an almost violent need to remind her again and again what they have together that I got goosebumps with the intensity of it. To say any more would ruin the outcome of this love triangle.

The ending of 'Sugar Daddy' couldn't have been better in my opinion and the fact that the characters stayed with me for days after is a true testament to the impact this novel had on me as a reader. I truly loved it; every character and moment - I loved.

A

I WON! I WON!

OMG, I just won an Adavanced Reading Copy of 'Demon Bound' by Meljean Brook!

Back Cover Blurb:

Among the Guardians, Alice Grey is known as the Black Widow—a woman trapped in a web spun by the demon Teqon. To save her soul, she agreed to deliver to Teqon the heart of the oldest and most powerful Guardian of all, or else be damned for eternity. After more than a hundred years, Teqon is calling in his debt.

Jake Hawkins is a novice Guardian whose gift of teleportation could be invaluable to Alice in determining her next move. But in aligning himself with her he never expected to fall in love. Now, their passionate flight to escape Alice’s damnable bargain is threatening both their souls. For they’re about to discover a hellish secret about the Guardians—something that will change their universe forever.

You can read an excerpt here.

Shiloh Walker's~Blog All About It~Contest!

I'm a big fan of Shiloh Walker having read several of her novels. My favorite being 'Through the Veil'. Rencently Ms. Walker posted some awesome news regarding the 'Veil' series. She was recently contracted by Berkley for three more novels one of which will be Morne's story. YAY!!! I've been dying to know more about him and my wish is going to come true. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Walker for her fabulous news.

Now on to the contest Ms. Walker has posted on her blog with the following grand prize:

~ARC of FRAGILE, my 2/09 release (this will not be mailed until January)
~Gift Certificate for $40 to the bookstore of your choice (as long as I can purchase the GC certificate online, you can pick whatever bookstore you want)
~Two books from my available backlist
~Goody bag

Here's how it works:

You just blog about it. All you have to do is take the excerpt below and the cover graphic, post them to your blog, and then send me an email @ contest4shiloh(at)gmail.com with the words BLOG ALL ABOUT IT in the subject line. In the email, make sure you include a link to your blog post.

The Missing by Shiloh Walker

Available on November 4, 2008



Excerpt:

The weird sense of deja vu exploded into something else entirely. Something that shook her to the core. His eyes narrowed and he reached up, caught her chin in his, staring at her.

She was pale and Cullen thought she looked every bit as shaken as he felt. “The dreams,” he muttered. He caught her face in his hands and forced her to look at him, staring into her pale gray eyes. The ugly, dark bruise around her left eye made her iris seem that much paler and as he watched, the pupil flared, enlarging until just a sliver of gray of visible.

Taige tried to jerk away and he wouldn’t let her. “You had the dreams, too, didn’t you?” he demanded.

Her voice shook as she reached up with one hand to jerk on his wrist, trying to break his hold. “Let go of me.”

Slowly, he shook his head. “You have,” he whispered, dismay spreading through him.

Dismay–and something else. She’d always held herself apart from him in those dreams. But through those dreams, he’d gotten to know her, gotten to know the woman she had become. She was pulling away from him not because she was angry at him, or because she didn’t want anything to do with him.

She pulled back because she still loved him.

releasing 11/4/08…

Covers Continued...

Okay so I liked the first two covers in the new Lisa Kleypas contemporaries.



They both had, in my opinion, a Texas feel to them. 'Surgar Daddy' reminds of a warm summer evening after the sun has dipped past the horizon. While 'Blue-Eyed Devil' looks like a clear-skyed scorcher of a day about mid-summer. I'm not Texan but I have plently of family there that I see often and these two covers captured the mid-west essence of Texas very well.

But Kleypas's new cover, 'Smooth Talking Stranger' does absolutely nothing for me.



I'm mean I get that Jack Travis is supposed to be a playboy and all but I don't understand what this cover is supposed to convey. Is that Ella in Jack's shirt languishing in his bed after some naughty time? If so why is she sitting with her legs propped up on the wall? Is she trying to aid conception or something?

I miss the cowboys... What do you think?

Kiss of A Demon King New Cover

I'm having some mixed feelings regarding the new cover for Kresley Cole's Immortals After dark Series 'Kiss of A Demon King'. Wait let's back up, I was already a little peeved at the cover change from the male/female versions to only male covers. And here's why:

My favorite cover version by far was 'Wicked Deeds on A Winter's Night', book three in Cole's Immortals After Dark series. First, the comic book essence was fantastic and I think really fit in regards to the overall tone of the novel. Second and most important, the characters look true to the author's description. I could easily discern Mariketa from the female cover model. I love the silky black dress and fur cloak she's wearing which really showcases her long red locks. The male cover model representing Bowen rang true for me as well. Bowen is described as being lean yet very tall. This male portrays this aspect clearly with him dwarfing the female thereby making her look small and fey like - again following the author's note of Mariketa being part fey. Third, I love the moon in the background illuminating not only the couple by grave stones but also giving the cover a Gothic and dark feel. Lastly, I love the way the characters are posed. Bowen is grasping Mariketa's neck and arm possessively while he swoops down to kiss her vulnerable neck. Mariketa looks to be leaning all her weight against Bowen in abandon, almost like she is giving herself to him with her body while her splayed hands on his shoulder just look beautiful to me.

This is my second favorite, 'A Hunger Like No Other', the first full length novel in Cole's Immortals After Dark series. First, this cover is what got me to read the series to begin with. Emma's silky long blond hair captivated me with how it flowed over Lachlain's arm and then trails completely out of the cover as though it went on forever. Second, again these models represented Cole's characters fairly. Lachain's height and broad chest dwarf Emma's petite size. Also, Emma's signature red is showcased with the models outfit. This is definitely something Emma would have worn. Third, I love how the two characters are gripping each other in an almost fierce manner. Lachlain's fingers are digging into Emma's side very possessively while his other hand holds her head still for his kiss upon her neck (which appears to be a theme for the early covers). Last, the moon (another theme) is once again in the backdrop shining like a spotlight on our hero and heroine.

Book five and book six, while striking in color, didn't nearly captivate me as much as the other two. Plus I was very disappointed, sad really, that the female models were no longer present. There is no emotional impact with these two covers in my opinion. Although I was relieved that the moon theme was used at least, thus tying these novels to the subsequent ones. But again, I miss the female cover models with the angst and possessing evident while caught in each others fiery embrace. Okay that was a bit purple...moving on.

Let's take a long look at the new Cole cover: 'Kiss of A Demon King'

It's obvious that covers are going in a whole new direction. No more couples and no more moon. This is in fact the first cover to show the back of the male model. Here is where I'm confused. Why would a man who is not only cuffed and chained to wall, but also wrapped several times around his waist with a chain, holding a sword? He is obviously in some kind of jail and I just can't imagine his captor giving him a sword. And since he does have a sword why is he not bashing it repeatedly at his chains. Well wait...let's think this through. Maybe he stole the sword from an unsuspecting guard who is lying unconscious at his feet...and he has been bashing at his chains but he was interrupted by either a sound or his captor, hence him looking over his shoulder. Okay I can live with that. Now what the hell kind of tattoo does he have on his side? Fish bones? Or is that some kind of dragon skeleton? I can't tell nor do I remember there being any mention of Rydstrom having this type of tattoo. Back to the sword, maybe that is supposed to represent the sword that Groot made to kill Mort the Deathless...hmmm and the plot thickens. I kind of like the muted grey/gold color that puts the teal blue of the title and the models eyes in stark relief. On thing that I definitely like is the title. I was so confused with Dark Desires and Dark Needs. At least this time I will remember it. One last thing, what is the male's expression? Is that a look a of expectancy or just boredom? Hummm...

What do you guys think?

Exciting New Releases

Seduce Me At Sunrise By Lisa Kleypas

Release date: September 30th

This is one of those long awaited books that readers are scrambling to get their hands on. Kev Merripen, a Romany Gypsy with a seemingly dark past, is desperately in love with Win Hathaway. While Kev, a strong and very masculine being, contrasts sharply with Win who is vulnerable and an invalid after suffering from scarlet fever. Making the bold decision to seek treatment in France, Kev begs Win not leave. Yet realising that Kev will never love her the way she wants, Win is determined to get well. Three years later, Win returns to a very hardened Kev who is even more desperate to stay away from the now vibrant and healthy Win. With his rejection, Win begins to entertain offers from other suitable gentlemen and the jealousy drives Kev mad. ::::sigh:::: I just love a jealous hero!

King of Sword and Sky By C.l. Wilson

Release Date: September 30th

Book 3 in C.L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series is finally here!

Returning to the Fading Lands with his Celierian truemate, Rain discovers a dissension among the most powerful members of his own council. As the Eld plot their next deadly strike, Ellysetta struggles to master her powerful magic and discover how to save the tairen, while Rain confronts open challenge to his rule and prepares to lead the Fey army to war.

I just finished reading 'Sugar Daddy' by Lisa Kleypas and OMG it was amazing! It's one of those stories that stays with you after you close the back cover. I seriously don't think I can pick up anything new tonight. My brain is still swirling with images and emotions. Instead I think I'll work on my review and hopefully have it posted. And then after I've fully recovered I might just have to delve into 'Blue-Eyed Devil'!